Madras Lentils

Madras Lentils is a delicious and satisfying vegetarian dish from Northern India. Full of bold flavors from ginger, cumin, chili powder, and more, this plant-based dish is easy to make and perfect for weeknights! 

This recipe is: 

• Vegetarian (can easily be made vegan)
• Healthy
• Gluten-free 
• Slightly smoky with a touch of spice
• Hearty
• Creamy

I've taken creative liberties with this recipe for Madras Lentils. I took some notes from both Dal Maharani and Dal Makhani, and this recipe is a compilation of the three recipe relatives. 

Most often, madras lentils are made with kidney beans and black glam or whole urad dal. For this recipe I opted to use black beluga lentils because they don’t require soaking before cooking and can be easier to find (depending on where you are). You can of course use black glam/whole urad, just be sure to soak the dry lentils 8 hours before using. 

Occasionally, I like to add red bell pepper, like I did here. It’s not traditional and can absolutely be left out. Additionally, I do not call for adding jalapeño or serrano, both would be a wonderful addition and, if using, should be added with the onions. 

And finally, many recipes for Madras Lentils call for half-and-half, cream, or coconut milk. The addition of cream of milk adds silkiness and richness—I find it muddles the flavors so I usually leave it out. If you want that added creaminess, add splash or two at the end of cooking or drizzle over individual servings.

Madras Lentils vs Dal Maharani vs Dal Makhani

Madras Lentils, Dal Maharani and Dal Makhani are close relatives to each other, sharing similar ingredients and cooking methods, they differ mostly in decadence and/or ingredient ratios.

Simplifying the differences in these dishes is not an easy task, but on the most basic level—Dal Maharani hails from Northern India and is most often a home-cooked dish, with slight variations from cook to cook. 

Dal Makhani is the restaurant version of Dal Maharani, featuring more cream and butter, making it decadent and creamy. 

And finally, Madras Lentils is an Americanized version of Dal Maharani which is slightly creamier in texture and often, though not always, features added cream. 

How to make Madras Lentils 

A one-pot dish, this recipe comes together in an hour and requires very little hands-on time. Here’s how to make Madras Lentils on the stove-top. 

1. Cook onion, pepper, ginger, and garlic in butter (or oil) until softened. 
2. Add tomato paste and spices and cook 1 minute. 
3. Stir in broth and lentils, bring to a simmer, decrease heat, partially cover and cook until lentils are tender. 
4. Stir in beans, vinegar, and honey; season with salt and pepper and serve. 
5. Optional: top Madras Lentils with cilantro and half-and-half or coconut milk.  

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What to serve Madras Lentils with

• Naan Bread
• Cilantro Lime Rice
• Cauliflower Rice
• Chicken Skewers

You may also like…

• Vegetarian Instant Pot Chili 
• Mushroom Veggie Burgers 
• Lentil Stuffed Mushrooms
• French Lentil Salad with Salmon

Make sure to tag me @ZESTFULKITCHEN ON INSTAGRAM or comment below if you make this Vegetarian Instant Pot Chili!

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